Quotes to read when you’re fed up with work: tough yet warm words.
There are times when you just can’t stand your job—because you failed at something, don’t get along with coworkers or your boss, don’t feel any sense of fulfillment, or simply for no particular reason.
In this article, we introduce quotes you should read when you feel that way about work.
We’ve gathered quotes that offer hints for escaping those feelings of dislike, ones that encourage you by saying you’ve still got this, and ones that nudge you toward your next challenge—words that can help lighten your heart.
When work becomes unbearable, please give these a read!
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Quotes to Read When You’re Fed Up with Work: Tough but Warm Words (11–20)
If you have someone you like at your workplace, your job becomes a lot more enjoyable.Sanma Akashiya
Here’s a famous quote by Japanese comedian Sanma Akashiya.
Many people, once they start working, have felt, “I don’t want to work today.” When you think “I don’t feel like working,” those negative feelings tend to spill over into your work even more.
These are the words I want you to remember at such times.
There must be something enjoyable in your current job.
“It’s fun talking with that person,” “Let’s work hard together again today.” If you can meet someone who makes you feel that way, you may find you can keep going better than you expect.
You can just be yourself.Mother Teresa
This is a quote that gently embraces and supports people who grow tired from comparing themselves to others in society or feeling rushed to do something.
Mother Teresa, who said this quote, devoted herself to global humanitarian aid—helping those suffering from poverty and illness, building orphanages, and supporting people in need.
When we face moments of struggle at work or in relationships, her words convey a tender yet strong kindness that encourages us not to blame ourselves or think we’re no good, but to believe that it’s okay to be just as we are.
Do not avoid the difficult path. You must move forward if you want to reach your destination.Katherine Anne Porter
When you take on a challenge, there may be no words more encouraging than these.
The road that leads to your dreams and goals won’t always be smooth.
There may be long hills, muddy paths that trip you up, and at times you might not see what lies ahead.
But if what you want is beyond that path, then you need to go through it.
Don’t be discouraged—move forward with courage and perseverance.
Everyone wants to avoid a hard road, but it’s precisely by walking it that you will grow.
It’s extremely hard to excel at something you don’t find enjoyable at all.Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus, who had a distinguished career as a professional golfer, helped raise the sport’s profile together with his rival, Arnold Palmer.
This is a famous quote from the great golfer known as the “Golden Bear,” expressing the importance of approaching things with a sense of enjoyment.
It conveys that it is precisely because we have a spirit of enjoyment that we can tackle anything seriously and bring out higher levels of ability.
These words may help you regain the joy of doing something when you feel discouraged about your lack of ability.
It’s a blessing to be able to work so much that there’s no time to even feel the passage of time.Kimi Onoda
These are the words she offered in response to a kind remark from a reporter, spoken as Kimi Onoda has continued working tirelessly since becoming a minister.
When she said it feels like she’s working longer than the official hours, you can really sense how hard she’s been pushing herself.
Describing such a grueling workload as something she’s grateful for also conveys that she moves through each day feeling a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and responsibility.
It’s a straightforward expression of gratitude for being able to work, and it also carries a determination to keep giving her all.
We must win/earn every single step ahead of us.Florence Nightingale
This quote by Florence Nightingale teaches us the mindset needed to achieve our dreams and goals.
In a world full of temptations, it can be very difficult to keep putting in the effort.
We tend to think, “I can do it tomorrow,” or “Skipping a day is fine,” don’t we? However, if we can’t do the one task right in front of us, we’ll never reach our dreams or goals—because each and every one of those tasks matters.
Remember: to fulfill high ideals, we must devote ourselves to steady daily practice.
Quotes to read when you’re fed up with work: tough yet warm words (21–30)
Regardless of the circumstances, when a decision must be made, I believe the best course is to stand firmly by my convictions.Yoshihide Suga
Cabinet secretaries and prime ministers are sometimes called upon to make important decisions; these are the words of Yoshihide Suga that express the criteria for such judgments.
He emphasizes that the final decision is his own, and conveys the idea that one should make decisions in accordance with one’s convictions after gathering opinions.
It doesn’t mean deciding alone; rather, it suggests using whether something conflicts with one’s convictions as material for judgment.
You can also sense a resolve to always make decisions responsibly, regardless of the scale of the matter.